Meek Mill Issues Apology For “Amen,” Church Boycott Lifted

Meek Mill has issued a public apology following criticism of his latest single “Amen,” a track that drew a boycott from a Philadelphia-based pastor who called the song’s lyrics blasphemous.

The Maybach Music Group member appeared on BET’s 106 & Park to address the boycott which was spearheaded by pastor Jomo K. Johnson.

“People find all types of stuff offensive,” Meek explained to 106 & Park hosts Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J. “I don’t think no preacher or no church approves of any type of rap music — because rap music, period, is a lot of bad stuff said. But at the end of the day, it’s real life. And me, I wasn’t trying to disrespect no religion or anything like that. My whole family is Christian. I have a half Christian, half Muslim family, the situation, the song, that’s what energy it felt and if anybody feel disrespected, I ain’t do it in that way.”

Meek Mill also added that he didn’t go into the recording of “Amen” with any thoughts of defaming or disrespecting the church.

“I did it just because it was a good feeling — that’s the feeling it gave me so I said, ‘Amen, church,’” he said. “I didn’t do it with bad intentions at the end of the day.”

Meek dropped a video for “Amen” on Sunday (July 15). The next day, Johnson announded a national boycott of the Drake featured record due to blasphemous usage of gospel organs and religious fueled lyrics like “She wanna f**k and I say church (Preach).”

In a public statement, Pastor Johnson said he appreciates Meek’s respectful gesture and that the boycott has since been ended.

“This apology was the condition for lifting the Call-To-Action boycott,” Johnson said “While I have made the choice not to listen to or support any artist that promotes blasphemy or misogyny in their music, I appreciate Mr. Williams being willing to acknowledge his wrong. It is my sincere hope, that he, along with all popular rappers with their fans, will embrace God’s total forgiveness by turning from the sin promoted through mainstream Hip Hop, and trust solely in Christ for salvation.” —Keith Murphy, CBS Local